How to Properly Light Your Studio

There are certainly many considerations that artists take into account when designing their studio space. Particularly for charcoal artists, lighting design is a significant element. If you are struggling to choose a drawing location in your home – here is a bit of simple advice. Choose a spot close to a high, north facing window. This will give you the opportunity to have tons of great natural light in your space.

Of course, if you don’t have the luxury of selecting a spot next to a high, north facing window, or, if you are interested in having consistent light over a lengthy period of time, you may want to light your studio with artificial light. This gives you the opportunity to paint day or night and not have to worry about the changing light on your subject. The first piece of lighting equipment that you may consider buying is a light stand. Many artists choose to purchase light stands so that they have a greater degree of flexibility when “aiming” their light. Additionally, light stands provide quite substantial support for expensive lights mounted upon them.

The one drawback you are likely to encounter when setting up your light stand is the wide foot print of the stand itself. Light stands have a tripod base that is rather large, and can easily get in the way if your studio is a small space. Hence, if you are cramped for space, a light stand may not be your best option. Obviously, accidents are more likely to occur if a studio is jammed full of equipment, and precariously placed light stands. If you do have a small space, it may make more sense to purchase auto-poles. Manfrotto Auto-poles extend all the way from the floor to ceiling and are a great piece of equipment for hanging not only lights, but also backgrounds. Of course, you will also need to purchase a set of clamps. Manfrotto designs clamps which are intended for use with their auto-poles.  

To clamp onto your light stands, or your auto-poles, you will need a 5500k Kino Flo Light. This light will closely approximate daylight, and will not cast light that is either too yellow or too green. The Kino Flo Diva-Lite 401 (5500k) is a great option, as it creates soft, daylight-balanced light. The Kino Flo Diva-Lite is designed with built-in barn doors and a detachable louver which allows artists to have control over the spread of light. Pairing your Kino Flo lights with either a light stand, or auto-pole, you will have arguably the most important element of the artist’s studio resolved: light.

Learn more about how to set up a home studio.